the
...because it is presumed to be definitely known in context or from shared knowledge...because it is presumed to be definitely known in context or from shared knowledge.: Used before a noun designating something considered to be unique, or of which there is only one at a time.
» Close the door when you leave.
Schließ beim Hinausgehen die Türe.
Schließe beim Hinausgehen die Tür!
Закрой дверь, когда будешь уходить.
Уходя, закройте дверь.
Уходя, закрой дверь.
Закройте дверь, когда будете уходить.
Зачини двері, коли будеш іти.
Зачиніть двері, коли будете йти.
Meaning
14 sensesThe definite grammatical article that shows that the noun phrase that immediately follows it is definitely identifiable...
...because it has already been mentioned, is to be completely specified in the same sentence, or very shortly thereafter.
I’m reading the book Mary reviewed. (Compare I’m reading a book Mary reviewed.)
You live on Main Street, don't you? You know, you should tell the mayor the street needs cleaning.
...because it is presumed to be definitely known in context or from shared knowledge.
Used before a noun designating something considered to be unique, or of which there is only one at a time.
No one knows how many galaxies there are in the universe.
God save the Queen!
Used to indicate a certain example of (a noun) which is usually of most concern or most common or familiar.
No one in the whole country had seen it before.
I don't think I'll get to it until the morning.
Used before a body part, a family member, a pet (especially of someone previously mentioned), as an alternative to a possessive pronoun.
A stone hit him on the head. (= “A stone hit him on his head.”)
(informal) How's the wife? (= "How is your wife?")
(colloquial)Precedes a familiar nickname or other term of address.
How's the Sal today?
Used in many idiomatic expressions and proverbs to refer to common objects, roles, or situations connected with something definite, in the manner of an analogy.
square the circle; feel the pinch; beat around the bush; throw the baby out with the bathwater
Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun
When stressed, indicates that it describes something which is considered to be best or exclusively worthy of attention.
That is the hospital to go to for heart surgery.
der
When stressed, used before the name of a famous person, to distinguish said person from a hypothetical lesser-known person with the same name.
der
Used before a noun phrase beginning with superlative or comparative adjective or an ordinal number, indicating that the noun refers to a single item.
That was the juiciest apple pie ever.
May the better man win.
der
Introducing a singular term to be taken generically: preceding a name of something standing for a whole class.
The downy woodpecker can be found in the same environments as the hairy woodpecker.
Used with the plural of a surname to indicate the entire family.
The Bushes have held political office for several decades and the Kennedys longer.
Used with an adjective
Added to a superlative or an ordinal number to make it into a substantive.
That apple pie was the best.
der
Examples
434465 sentencesClose the door when you leave.
Зачини двері, коли будеш іти.
ruЗакрой дверь, когда будешь уходить.
deSchließ beim Hinausgehen die Türe.
I'm getting ready for the worst.
Готуюся до найгіршого.
ruЯ готовлюсь к худшему.
deIch bereite mich auf das Schlimmste vor...
They forgot to lock the door.
Вони забули замкнути двері.
ruОни забыли запереть дверь.
deSie haben vergessen, die Tür abzuschließen.
You should tell him the truth.
Ти повинен розповісти йому правду.
ruТы должен был сказать ему правду.
deIhr solltet ihm die Wahrheit sagen.
You should have attended the meeting.
Ти мусив би відвідати зустріч.
deDu hättest zur Versammlung gehen sollen.
Translations
6 languagesBy meaning 3
Origin
From Middle English þe, from Old English þē m (“the, that”, demonstrative pronoun), a lateFrom Middle English þe, from Old English þē m (“the, that”, demonstrative pronoun), a late variant of sē, the s- (which occurred in the masculine and feminine nominative singular only) having been replaced by the þ- from the oblique stem.
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